Power Line Aberrations and Their Effects on Health Care Facility MicroprocessorEquipment

摘要

You are working on a project and suddenly the lights go out. Just as suddenly,the lights return and the phone/beeper begins ringing off the hook with reports of equipment that is down. Another scenario, suddenly the lights dim for an extended period of time. As the lights return to normal intensity or even before the lights return to normal intensity, the phone/beeper begins ringing. There are countless scenarios, the causes numerous, and the solutions many and varying. Since 1975, technology has led to the invasion of microelectronic and computer-controlled medical equipment. This invasion comes as a blessing, because better patient care is possible, and as a curse trying to keep these electrical gadgets operating. The invasion of technologically advanced equipment has greatly increased capabilities in radiology (examples: Digital Subtraction, High Frequency Generators, Anatomical Programmed Generators, improved Cardiovascular image systems), Magnetic Resonance (MR), Computerized tomography (CT) X-ray, Ultrasound, patient history data base systems, patient diagnostic systems, improved Clinical laboratory equipment, and lasers to mention only a few areas. When the utility power lines deviate from the norm, (typically values 110, 220, or 277/440 volts line to ground) the problem(s) begins. (JES)